Find out more about Energy Efficiency at Prairie Crossing.

Byron Colby Barn was built in 1885

The Byron Colby Barn, a Lake County dairy barn, was built in 1885 and restored in 1996 to serve as a community center for Prairie Crossing and the larger community.

The timeless elegance of the Byron Colby Barn offers a rich setting for all types of gatherings.

Standing at the entrance to Prairie Crossing, it is a popular place for people to gather and a symbol of the quality of Midwestern architecture.

Hundreds of community events take place here each year, including homeowners' meetings, concerts, lectures, school assemblies, workshops and conferences. The Barn serves as a polling place and is the base for the annual Prairie Pedal, a popular family bike event run by the Liberty Prairie Conservancy.

Prairie Crossing residents or members of the public can rent the Barn for their special occasions. Up to 250 can assemble for meetings, and a modern catering kitchen makes elegant weddings and parties easy. If weather permits, guests can enjoy the adjacent brick courtyard with tables and benches. There is a large area suitable for tents. The gazebo on the Village Green can also be rented for a wedding ceremony with the reception in the Barn.

Byron Colby, a local dairy farmer, built the Barn in 1885 on a nearby site overlooking the Des Plaines River. A century later, it was scheduled for demolition to make room for a housing development. When the owner agreed to donate it to Prairie Crossing, an expert crew took it apart timber by timber, numbering each one. In 1996 a barnraising was held at Prairie Crossing. The Barn's original timbers were fitted together with mortise and tenon joints, just as they had been over a century ago. Modern conveniences were added to make the Barn serve its new users well.

The Byron Colby Barn's original timbers were meticulously reassembled when the structure was relocated to Prairie Crossing in 1996.

The original timbers and elegant proportions of the barn's open, airy space create a rich setting for all types of private parties, including weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, corporate events and informal community gatherings. The main floor measures 52' X 32' and the loft area 20' X 34', creating ample room for guests to view presentations, meet in small groups, hear lectures or dance the night away.

To experience The Byron Colby Barn is to fall in love with it. If you would like
to tour the barn, or for further information, please contact:
Stan Rosenberg
(847) 543-1202
bcbarn@prairiecrossing.com

The Byron Colby Barn is available seven days a week, and is located at:
1561 Jones Point Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030